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"419" Scam – Advance Fee / Fake Lottery Scam

The so-called "419" scam is a type of fraud dominated by criminals from Nigeria and other countries in Africa. Victims of the scam are promised a large amount of money, such as a lottery prize, inheritance, money sitting in some bank account, etc.

Victims never receive this non-existent fortune but are tricked into sending their money to the criminals, who remain anonymous. They hide their real identity and location by using fake names and fake postal addresses as well as communicating via anonymous free email accounts and mobile phones.

Keep in mind that scammers DO NOT use their real names when defrauding people.
The criminals either abuse names of real people or companies or invent names or addresses.
Any real people or companies mentioned below have NO CONNECTION to the scammers!

Read more about such scams here or in our 419 FAQ. Use the Scam-O-Matic to verify suspect emails.

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Some comments by the Scam-O-Matic about the following email:

Fraud email example:

From: Miss Grace Nijaro <miss.gracenijaro@atlas.cz>
Date: Fri, 20 May 2011 17:46:36 +0100 (BST)
Subject: Hello Dear,


Hello Dear,

I am writing this mail to you with tears in my eyes and sorrow in my heart. My name is Miss. Grace Nijaro, 17yrs old female and I held from Kenya and my father was the former Kenyan Road Minister.  My father and Assistant Minister of Home Affairs Lorna Laboso had been on board the Cessna 210, which was headed to Kericho and crashed in a remote area called Kajong'a, in western Kenya. The plane crashed on the Tuesday 10th, June, 2008. You can read more about the crash through the below site:

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/africa/06/10/kenya.crash/index.html

After the burial of my father, my step mother and uncle conspired and sold my father's properties to an Italian expatriate which they shared the money among themselves and live me with nothing. One faithful morning I received a letter from my father’s lawyer telling me that my father has a documents with him and the document which stated that he have deposited huge amount of money in one bank in Acrra Ghana with my name as the next of kin. I travelled to Ghana to withdraw the money for a better life so that I can take care of myself and start a new life, on my arrival, the Bank Director whom I met in person told me that my father's instruction to the bank is that the money would only be release to me when I am married or present a trustee who will help me and invest the money overseas.

I am in search of an honest and reliable person who will help me and stand by me as my trustee so that I will present him/her to the Bank as my trustee so that the bank will transfer the money to his bank account overseas. I have chosen to contact you after my prayers and I believe that you will not betray my trust but rather take me as your own sister. Though you may wonder why I am so soon revealing myself to you without knowing you, well I will say that my mind convinced me that you may be the true person to help me. More so, I will like to disclose much to you if you can help me to relocate to your country because my stepmother has threatened to assassinate me. The amount is ($8 USD) Million United State Dollars and I have confirmed from the bank in Ghana. You will also help me to place the money in a more profitable business venture in your Country.

However, you will help by recommending a nice University in your country so that I can complete my studies. It is my intention to compensate you with 10% of the total money for your services and the balance shall be my capital in your establishment. As soon as I receive your positive response showing your interest I will put things into action immediately. In the light of the above, I shall appreciate an urgent message indicating your ability and willingness to handle this transaction sincerely.

Awaiting your urgent and positive response. Please do keep this only to yourself. I beg you not to disclose it till I come over because I am afraid of my wicked stepmother who has threatened to kill me and have the money.

Sincerely yours
Miss. Grace Nijaro

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